This
interview was done with Algy Ward via Internet , all questions are from Members of The Damned Message
Board! Algy answered the questions over a couple of days in mid August 2003.
Tanks to Gary
Deering for the
interview and the pictures. Cheers!1. ALGY whats the story behind the MAGIC MICHEAL single?
Algy Ward: The Damned And Magic Michael, Had The Same Mis- Management(Ha! Ha!) At The Time And Michael Needed A Band To Record Some Songs,So After We Got The Money!!!! We Recorded Four Songs Of Which Two Were Released(At Sound Suite Studios Where We Recorded The Backing Tracks For Machine Gun Etiquette, Melody Lee, Burglar, Looking For Another (Teenage Dream),Arnold Layne, Happy Rat, Edna’s Tune(What Ever That Turned Out To Be)The Magic Michael Single Was Greeted With Critical Distain, But We Got Paid...
2. Hi Algy, not by any means new to the Damned but relatively new to the message board, what I would like to know is, how has being a past member of the damned affected your musical career, help or hindered?
Algy Ward: Being The Damned Hasn’t Hindered Me By Any Means, It Opens The Same Closed Doors, And Shuts Them Harder, The Light At The End Of The Tunnel, Is The Front Of A Oncoming Train.
3.What went wrong with the MOTORDAMNED project, is it true that it was Eddie Clarke causing friction?
Algy Ward: The MOTORDAMN Project Was Doomed From The Start, Motorhead And The Damned In The Same Studio!!!!!!!,Eddie & Philthy Were More Interested In Shagging Some Bird On The Pool Table Upstairs, We Recorded Over The Top And Ballroom Blitz Together In Some Form Or Another, We Also Recorded The Backing Track Of Anti Pope There At The Workhouse Studio(Manfred Mann's Old Gaff) Bet He Was Impressed...
4. This might be a sore spot, but legend has it than Captain redid many of your bass parts on Machine Gun Etiquette because you were having a little too much fun with the bottle. I think I read an interview with Roger Armstrong where he said that the only song on there that is you all the way through is Liar (which is a nice bit of bass playing and proof positive that you could've easily handled the rest). So what's your side of the story?
Algy Ward: Well,Well,Well Naughty Captain, Bad Captain, On Your Rug,Captain Played Bass On Smash It Up,Just Can't Be Happy Today,And The Bass Solo On Antipope And I Played Bass On EVERYTHING ELSE, I Also Played Guitar On Machine Gun Etiquette(The Motorhead And Gary Glitter Bits)Rat Played The Motorbike,And I Also Played All Guitars On Liar(including The Solo) As For Enjoying The Bottle? Of Course My Dear Old Things oh The Reason Why I Didn't Play On Those Songs/Smash It Up(Wasn't At Wessex Studios When Captain & Rat Recorded The Drums) Can't Be Happy(Wasn't At SMS Studios When Captain And Rat Recordrd The Drums) Antipope(Thought It A Bit Pompous,We Didn't Play The Song A Lot Live, I Couldn't Come Up With Any Thing Suitable In The Studio So Captain Did The Bass Solo, It's Funny How They Go On About MY Drinking, No One Else Was Pissed Or Speeding Were They?
5. If you had the chance to play with the Damned as a guest , would you do it ? Also what is your favourite Damned song ( if you have one )?
Algy Ward: I Don't Know,I Played A Couple Of Songs With Captain In 1996 At The Star In Croydon,There's A Video Of It Doing The Rounds,I Don't Know What The Damned Sound Like Now,So I Don't Know If My Strategic Bass Deterrent Sound Would Fit In,(Ha! Ha!)As For My Favourite Damned Song?Love Song,Plan9,Smash It Up,They're All Classics Of The Genre(he Says In A Arfur Mullard Voice)
6. Algy as with many fans of the Damned you were in the original line up for me, so when I hear tracks from those time it reminds me of then. Wot are your fondest and worst memories of your time in the Damned. Oh and how did that great bass sound come about.
Algy Ward: Fondest Memory,Joining Playing The Lyceum,Love Song,Top Of The Pops,Glasgow Apollo,Kissing Debbie Harry,America,Setting Fire To Paul De Noyer,The Ruts Throwing Cow Shit At Us In Sound Check And Me Not Getting Any Of It,(Then They Had To Play Their Set With Supertramp Blaring Out Their Monitors) Annie Nightingale, Too Many To Mention, Worst Memory,...I Can't Remember...Yes I Can,But I Don't Want To Go There...
7. Jog your memory Algy! Do you remember getting slagged off in Sounds (I think) letters page way back in about 81? It ran for a couple of weeks with all sorts of people creeping out of the woodwork to have a pop at Tank. Alvin Gibbs (from the Subs) wrote in and defended you.
Algy Ward: Yes, I Do Remember, Assholes With Nothing Better To Do, Alvin Gibbs And I Used To Go The Same School, He Ws A Year Above Me I Think, It Didn't Bother Me At The Time.
8. Did I, or did I not see you and your band many moons ago appearing on Sky's talent search? I recall not really paying much attention at the time until the presenter pointed at you, saying that you used to be in The Damned. I thought "thats Algy" and it was. Or was it? Maybe I just need some rest.
Algy Ward: Yes It Was Me,I Was Playing With All Sorts Of Strange Bands Back Then,They Were Called Throw The Dice,A Blues Band From Croydon,Keith Chegwin Was The Presenter,And The Panelists Were Melvyn Hayes(From It Ain't Half Hot Mum)And Clero Rocas(Kenny Everett's Bird With The Big Tits)The Band Played Good,But The Show Was Woeful .
9.Algy, did you contribute to any of the songs written during your time with The Damned? If so which ones?
Algy Ward: Yes I Did,Apart From Writing Liar,I Did Bits And Pieces,Lyrics,We All Did,For Instance Rat Had Written Looking For Another(Teenage Dream)Machine Gun(Second Time Around)For The White Cats,And We Changed Them Around A Little,Captain Had Antipope From King/The Mopeds Dave Had These Hands,At The Time Captain Was The Main Music Writer,But Wasn't Too Hot On The Lyrics,Giovani Dadamo,Wrote Lyrics To Just Can't Be Happy,Rat's Girlfriend At The Time Also Wrote Some Stuff(Noise,Noise,Noise)Captain And Dave Went On To Become Excellent Writers,Because Brian James,Had Written Nearly All Of The Songs Up Till Then,Everybody Seemed To Be Learning How It Was Done.
10. Algy old butt,did you ever go on stage with The Damned sober? or was it more fun/more bearable being a little monged?
Algy Ward: Strangly Enough I Wasn't Faceless All The Time,Contrary To Popular Legend,But I Wasn't Sober Either.
11. Hey Algy old bean! Did you enjoy your time in 'the saints',wot were they like to work with? Are you still following the 'Eagles'? And do ya still keep tabs on the Damned these days-what do you think of their new stuff? Cheers chap!
Algy Ward: I Had A Great Time With the Saints,Two Albums And One U.K Tour In The Space Of A Year,They Were My First Professional Band,And It Was A Mindblast And Thrifty Most In The Bankybalancer,Oh Yes As I Sit Here By My Tripewiper,Where At Man,Where At? By The Moon And Dangly,That's Where,And They're A Good Bunch Of Blokes Too,I'm A Fan Of Football,And Being A Palace Supporter,This Can Be Difficult,Went To Last Season's Away Game Against Wimbim (Away Game?????) Woefull EEEEEAAAAAAGGGGLLLEESSSS!!!!! No,I Haven't Heard A Note Of What The Damned Have Done,For Years.
12. Well, what are you up to now! Can we get up to date pix!
Algy Ward: What Am I Up To? Well I'm Just Finishing Off The Lyrics To The Next Tank Album, Sturmpanzer, Then I'll Be In The Studio Doing Demo's Late September/October,No Current Pictures,(I Might Have Some Holiday Shots With Nora Crevice On The Pier At Hastings, Sat Next To Lord Bellpush Of Minge, On Your Left, Is Henry...HENRYYYY!!!!
13. So Algy during your time with the Damned who had the biggest ego?
Algy Ward: Everybody!!!!!!!!
Punk or Heavy Metal which do you prefer playing and listening to? Were you always a rocker or did it just creep up on you?
Algy Ward: Punk Or Metal? Then As Now,I Listen To Everything,From Fela Kuti To Industrial Stinking Gourd Music(That's When They Take The Nose Flute OFF, Instead Of ON) I Enjoy Playing All Types Of Music,And I've Been Lucky Enough To Do So Over The Last Twenty Five Or So Years....
14. Do you remember snogging some young girl in front of her boyfriend (probably did that on more than one occasion though)?
Do you remember learning to play Feel the Pain for me, which I sang with you all at the Apollo Manchester 10/12/79? I'm the one you also wrote too, twice. See the pic of me and you backstage at the Apollo Manchester on this web sites fangbase: http://www.btinternet.com/~damnedstrange/roguesgallery4.htm ....that may jog your memory. Algy, will you come to my 40th party in September?
Algy Ward: Yes I Do,You Wonderful Example Of Womanhood, Was He The Milkman Or Was That Someone Else? It Was The Free Trade Hall Then Wasn't It,I'd Love To Come To Your Birthday Party,But They Don't Let Me Out Of Here Much These Days,Anyway I'd Drink The Place Dry,And Do A Embarassing But Convincing Version Of Just A Gigalo,Wearing Nothing But My Under Pants And A Rain Hat That Says "Welcome To Ladram Bay" On It,Some Things Never Change.......But HAPPY BIRTHDAY Anyway
15. Were you upset when you found out she had a boyfriend or did it spur you on?
Algy Ward: I've Never Worn Spurs,But I'm Game
16. Hi Algy, MGE line up was the first time i saw the damned and to my mind still the best (no disrespect to any of the others) just wondering how the other bands that you've been in compare to "the damned", better or worse?
Algy Ward: Thank You For Your Kind Words,The Damned,Then As Probably Are Now,A Nightmare To Be In,But Thankfully,You Wake Up And Go To The Pub,Another Day,Another Krugerrand....
17. I would be interested to know if Algy remembers much about his audition for the Damned? If infact he did audition what are his recollections of how he became the Damneds bassist?
Algy Ward: It Wasn't An Audition As Such,It Was In The Basement Of Steve Strange's(Visage Etc) Shop In Covent Garden,It Was Really A Rehersal For Some Gigs In France,Which Me And Rat Ended Up Banged Up In Le Havre Police Station Overnight,For Lobbing Molatov Cocktails Out Of The Hotel Window,Oh How We Laughed....
18.Was the reason you left the Damned because you nicked Rat's Girlfriend? 'Noise, Noise, Noise' on MGE was written by Scabies, Vanian, Ward, Sensible and Scabies, but on Final Damnation it's Scabies, Vanian, Sensible, Ward and Ward. How's Tunbridge Wells? My sister lives in Mount Sion and wouldn't swap it for Croydon.
Algy Ward: No It Wasn't That I Did Anything To Rat's Girlfriend,Tunbridge Wells Is Nice,In A Mr Kipling Fondant Fancy Sort Of Way,Sweet But With A Fluffy Bit On The Inside,(Where's The Medication???) NURSE!!!! The Extra Scabies On The Original Writing Credit Is Really Rat's Girlfriend(At The Time) Whose Surname Was Ward
19. Algy. Were you ever approached to participate in the reunion gigs around the final damnation era?
Algy Ward: No I've Never Been Asked To Do Any Re-union Shows,Ever,I Wonder Why???
20.
Just obvious questions really; -has he followed the band's career since he left?
Been to any of their gigs? Has he been in touch with any of the band? What's his
opinion on his various successors? Any Damned stuff that he played on but was
never released?Algy Ward: No,I Haven't Seen Anyone From The Damned For Years,Have'nt Heard Any Of Their Stuff,Am I Repeating Myself????,I'm Not Really Sure What Has Or Hasn't Been Released,I've Mentioned Arnold Layne,Happy Rat,Edna's Theme(Which I Don't Know Was Ever Recorded With Lyrics)There's Also A Studio Version Of Looking For Another(Teenage Dream)The Live Version Being On The Moonlight Tapes,There's I Can't Explain,The Snake,Don't Trouble,Trouble,Till Trouble,Trouble's You,Let There Be Rats,Liar(These Last Three From The Dodgy Demo Sessions,I Think) That's About It
21.Did you, or have you listened to any of the Damned's music since you left the band. If so, could you comment on if you feel you would have done a better job, or would the end results have sounded different.
Algy Ward: See Above. It's Bed Time For Algy,More Tomorrow
22.While you were in the damned you were a very sharp dresser, and some may say "best dressed". I really couldnt argue with them. do you think the rest of the band ever got jealous of your looks and wonderful fashion sense? And what do you think of Patricia??? (Patricia Morrison ex sisters of mercy & now bass player in the current Damned line up ,also Dave Vanians wife).
Algy Ward: I Was'nt Making Some Fashion Statement, They're Just Clothes, My Good Looks?HA!HA!HA! What Are You After? Them Jealous Of Me?.....Filth Hounds Of Hades Do I Need A Dare Of The Hog... I've Never Heard Patricia Play,Or Even Met Her
23. Was there ever a time when you would have liked to have rejoined The Damned?
Algy Ward: I've Never Really Thought About It...
24. Algy, cheers for doing this...saw you (Tank) down at the Cartoon, Croydon recently and really enjoyed the set. Some questions... What were you doing prior to joining the Saints?
Algy Ward: Before The Saints I Played In Various Local Bands, Ranging From Prog Rock To Imitation Leather Blues Bands Like Albert Chuckney And Rhythm Bastards,Ken Platt And His Talking Pond,Dickie Knee And Seth Nettles' RASH,Trackway,Solid,Wildlife,Drax Lobox,Anthrax(Did You Know That A Organ And Drums Duo Called "Oasis" Used To Have A Resedency At The Jolly Farmers Pub In Purley In The 70's,Two Old Blokes,And This Bird Used To Get Up And Murder Hits From The Contemporary Song Book (Sounds Familiar)They Were Better Than 90's Ones)I Digress....Hmmmm Did I Leave The Gas On?
How were you approached for the Damned gig?
Algy Ward: Captain Approached Me In The Railway Telegraph Wearing A Old Raincoat,Cricket Pads And A Fetching (But Soiled) Cravat,And Said Henry's Gone A Bit Up The Pictures,Fancy A Bash At It Old Chap?I Said Of Course My Dear Old Thing,And We Then Drank A Rather Lot Of Ram And Special.....
Did you really enjoy playing the Damned's songs or were your tastes in other directions?!
Algy Ward: Most Of The Time,But At The End Of My Shift As Bass Player It Wasn't My Cup O'Tea
Who are your favourite bassists?
Algy Ward: .Several,My Favourite Bass Players Are John Entwistle, Andy Fraser, Jaco Pastorious, Charles Mingus, Chris Squire, Billy Sheehan, Stanley Clarke, Ken Mound, Dee Dee Ramone And That Old Git Who Used To...Well Him Anyway...Pino Paladino..James Jameson,The Endless Is List
If Tank were no more and you could join any band, who would it be?
Algy Ward: I'd Love To Play Bass In METALLICA,But I'm Too Old And Fat And I've Got A NHS Prescription Cider Habit,And I'm Also Unreliable Because I Fiddle With Small Insects In Matchboxes Or So I'm Told
Cheers Algy, hope the tour went ok (Eastern Europe, was it?) and best of luck. Rich.
Algy Ward: Thanks,The Gigs Went Well
25. Algy, did you, or do you still, collect toilet seats? And, if so, what's so great about the Dauntless Rubber Line?
Algy Ward: No I Did'nt Collect Toilet Seats As Such,Although I Did Have A Few, It Was The Stickers And Company Logos I Was Interested In,Dauntless Rubberline Is The Acme,Pinnacle,Apex In The Vitrious China World, I Took It Upon Myself To Tell The World, In My Small Way Of Thomas Crappers Wonderous Invention (He's Buried In Elmers End Cemetary Near To W.G Grace)
26. What's your fave Damned song that you play on and your fave Damned track that you don't play on. Also a big, big thanks for being so bloody nice to me when you were in the Damned and for making me look cool in school with my experiences with the band at that time.
Algy Ward: Love Song,Plan 9 Channel 7, Neat, Neat, Neat....
27. Algy, sorry bout this but its another MGE question. Been trying to find out who said the opening lines of 'Ladies and Gentlemen How Do'. As I,ve heard all the other band members of that time speak, I though maybe it was you. Could you enlighten us. Cheers
Algy Ward: Albert Tatlock
Algy Ward: Rat-Drums, Captain-Rhtyhm Guitar, Me-Bass And Lead Guitar, Dave-Lead Vocals, And All Of Us Taking The Piss
29. I a recent interview, Captain tells a couple of anecdotes concerning Algy's two catchphrases of the time : "Biff them on the bocco" and "Where's me ammer?" Does he have any recollections regarding these?
Algy Ward: Yes,I Do Recall On Occasion Using Such Phrases, Along With Roast Duck And Orange Sauce,(Sir Francis Drake)Captain,Your Soooooo Grumpy,Get Out Of My Fucking Dressing Room (To Toyah Wilcox Who Was Supporting Us At Eric's Livepool) And Many Others.
30. I'd like to know how Algy ended up hooking up with the Saints, and was he in any bands before that. Also, is his name Alasdair or Alastair?
Algy Ward: My Brother(The Mighty Kipper)Was A Roadie For The Saints On Their Tour At That Time,And They Weren't Happy With Their Bass Player (Kym Bradshaw,Who Later Played With The Lurkers)They Finished The Tour And When They Came Back From Australia,They Needed A Bass Player For The Next Tour And Album,My Brother Put My Name Forward,I Auditioned,Got The Gig,Jacked In My Job At Fairfield Halls,And There You Have It,Delia Smith Could Lead An Egg To Water,But Would It Ride In The 3.15 at Haydock? It's ALASDAIR
Algy Ward: I'm Using A Pair Of Aria Magna Series 5 String Basses(One Black,The Other Red,Anarchy Colours,With Maple Necks)Through Anything Really,I'm In Between Rigs At The Moment,As The Muso's Say,But I've Still Got My Original Ampeg Monster.... And I'd Probably Would Have Formed Tank,Even If I'd Been In The Damned Or Not
32.Algy, I gotta tell ya', you got a hell of a thunderous sound out of that guitar...wow, so wondering how was it bouncing off Rats drumming speed, were you playing catch or was it vice verca,
Also you used to play great bass runs live, but they only appeared on Ballroom Blitz and a couple of others, I was just wondering why, Thanx mate Jonathan.
Algy Ward: Excuse Me While I Clean Up The Cat Sick In The Hall............. It's Alright,Furball Everyone Just Tried To Out Play And Upstage Each Other Really,Thanks For Your Kind Words,I'd Didn't Play The Solo Stuff On Ballroom Blitz That's That's The Mighty Lemmy(Whom Jack Daniels Preserve)
33. Did you play bass on the Dodgy Demo 7"?
Algy Ward: Yes,I Did Play On The Dodgy Demo
34. Did you realise what you were letting yourself in for before you joined The Damned??.. or should that be vice versa! Had you seen them live much before you joined? And also a thanks for making me spend hours and hours with me bass trying to play along to MGE when it came out!!! Still, can't think of a better way to start, given me a certain 'irresponsible' style to my playing!!
Algy Ward: I Don't Think Any Of Us Knew What We Were Letting Ourselves In For.... Thanks Again.....
35.Algy, on the Captain's 'Live At The Milky Way' CD, I noticed that you (at least, I assume it's you - 'Ward') are down as a credit for 'Jet Boy, Jet Girl'. Did YOU write THOSE lyrics!!!!
Algy Ward: NO! I Didn't Have Anything To Do With THOSE Lyrics...
What are your future plans/hopes for Tank?
Algy Ward: I Think I've Answered The Question Before But....I'm Finishing Off The Lyrics To The Next Album And I'm Looking To Go Into The Studio In Late September/October To Demo Everything, It's Called Sturmpanzer, And It's Tank's Ninth Album...
36.Tank questions: Do you ever tour the UK or are you only well known abroad? Why do you think you're not as well known in this country?
Algy Ward: We Stopped Playing The U.K Seriouly In 1985,It Just Wasn't/Isn't Viable, Even If You Sell Places Out, Unless You've Got Recorded Company Support, We Played The Cartoon In Croydon,Earlier This Year,That's The First Time We've Played On British Soil In SEVENTEEN Years, We've Played Everywhere Else Mind, U.S.A, Japan, Europe, Scandinavia And Around Again I've No Idea Why We Don't Do Well Over Here,I'm Not That Bothered.
Where are Tank best known i.e. were do you get the biggest crowds? Who are the maddest fans?
Where are Tank best known i.e. were do you get the biggest crowds? Who are the maddest fans?
Algy Ward:We Do Well In Germany And Japan, The Germans Are Pretty Much The Best...
37. Algy, My first Damned gig was at the Rainbow, November 1979. It seemed a pretty riotous affair, was it any different from any other gigs with the Damned or was it particularly over the top that night? Also, any interesting stories from the Old Grey Whistle Test appearance?
Algy Ward: It Was Scary That Night,Seeing A Kid's Head Split Open,By A Bit Of Wrought Iron,Is Not My Idea Of Fun,The Old Grey Whistle Test Was A Laugh,Getting Pissed With Crew And Annie Nightingale,Now There's A Bird...
When you formed Tank you ditched the Fender Precision, any particular reasons, and could you have imagined any Filth Hounds songs being done by The Damned whilst you were still with them (and did you suggest any?)
Algy Ward: At The Beginning Of Tank,I Was Still Using Precision's,But Borrowing Them,As I'd Trashed My Last One At The Electric Ballroom,My Last Gig With The Damned,I'd Always Liked Gibson Thunderbirds,So When I Got A Publishing Deal,I Got One,And Another Later In 1982....No I Can't Hear Tha Damned Doing Anything Off Filth Hounds Or Off Anything Else For That Matter
And Finally, how the hell do you play the bass runs at the end of Plan 9 Channel 7, been trying for years!!! Cheers, Ron.
Algy Ward: I Played The Bass Runs At The End Of Plan 9,Of Course With Consumate Ease,With Two Fingers In A Tin Of Sild,And The Other Two Fingers And Thumb Doing The Times Crossword (He Lied Badly For Effect)Glad To Keep You Occupied......It's Better Than Boiling Lentils,For That Impressive,But Mildly Off Putting, Recipe Of The Month,In Woman's Realm.....
38. Didn't Metallica open for Tank in the 80s? What were those guys like (before they were rock stars and all)?
Algy Ward: No, Tank Supported Metallica On The Ride The Lightning European Tour In 1984,There Good Blokes And Still Are(Cliff Burton, Of Course Is Sadly Missed)
39. Algy, the Rainbow gig November '79 in London was also my first "Damned" gig, (seem to remember dodging flying chairs most of the night ) I remember that night you saying "London" audiences were the worst in the world, have you changed your mind yet????
Algy Ward: Yes,They Probably Still Are But Not In The Same Way
And what did you make of your support patsie "auntie pus"??? oh yeah, one more thing, do you have a copy of the rainbow gig on tape that I could buy from you promise it's for personal use only!!! Well it don't hurt to ask does it?
Algy Ward: No I Don't Have A Tape Of That Gig, And I Wouldn't Want To Hear That God Awful Din Again Thank You Matron, I'll Just Have The Battenburg Half A Tea Spoon Of Sugar, Good Night Children, Wherever You Are!
40. Joining The Damned - a good move or a bad one? What's the story behind the black eye on the Smash It Up video?
Algy Ward: Joining The Damned?Good Move,Black Eye? At The Video Shoot For Smash It Up I Spilt A Drink On Rat's"Precious" P owder Blue Drape Jacket,I Was Sent Outside For Some Spurious Reason And Was Held By A Roadie Whilst Rat Hit Me,What A Star
41. For Algy: Sorry if this is a bit obscure - can't remember where I heard this but... Is it true that your Mum is June Brown? (Actress who plays Dot Cotten in Eastenders)...xxx
Algy Ward: No June Brown Isn't My Mum,But I Know Her Because,My Old Mates Mum Is Her Sister,I Did A Single With Her In The Late 80's,Called Where Is Love (A Song From The Show "Oliver!") She Has A Great Family,Especially One Of Her Daughters,Louise,Who Is Drop Dead Gorgeous,June Is A Great Laugh,I Haven't Seen Them In Years....
42. OK, did you ever consider buying the Super Furry Animals' tank when they decided to sell it?
Algy Ward: I Didn't Know The Super Furry's Had A Tank? Bastards
43. This thread prompted me to dig out Filth Hounds of Hades - still holds up pretty well I'm glad to say. So, Algy, how did the Motorhead connection come about - you supported them in 81 and 82, and Fast Eddie produced the above LP - did you meet Lemmy and co. thru the Damned or independently, how did the recording of Filth go, and any stories on the road with the Head?
Algy Ward: Met Lemmy Years Before At The Speakeasy When I Was In The Saints,But I Really Got To Know Them During My Time With Damned,As I've Mentioned Before(I Think?) We Had The Same Mis-Management Company,And When I Got Sacked From The Damned,I Stayed On With Them To Get Tank Together,Eddie Asked Me If He Could Have A Go At Producing The First E.P "Don't Walk Away" I Said Alright,And We Did It,Recording Filth Hounds Was A Blast,We Recorded It At The Who's Studio,Ramport In Battersea,Eddie Would Turn Up Each Day With A Few Carrier Bags Full Of Vodka,Carlsberg Special Brew,Orange Juice,And Various Sundry Items(Consumables)And We'd Start....
44. Algy, the Saints were criticised by some for their 'disappointing' live performances. What were the gigs like? What was life like in the Saints?
Algy Ward: I Don't Know That Any Gig I Did With The Saints Was Dissapointing,But I Saw A Few Of Theirs Before I Joined,And I Have To Say They Were,Supporting The Ramones At The Roundhouse They Were Incredible,When The Saints Supported Generation X There,We Reduced Them To A Pile On Steaming Excrement,( Which Wasn't Too Hard)If You Can Find It,There's A Live Version Of Demolition Girl From The Hope And Anchor Album"Front Row Festival" On Warner Brothers Catalogue No:-K66077 Which Is Representive Of What The Saints Sounded Like Live(Well, When I Was With Them Anyway)
45. Another saints question: the Saints didn't really get the recognition they deserved and weren't taken seriously by critics for something as stupid as the fact that you guys had long hair and seen by some as a Ramones rip off, which I think is complete bs, how did the critics make you feel? And do you still talk to Chris bailey, Ed Kuepper or any other ex Saints members?
Algy Ward: I Don't Know That Any Gig I Did With The Saints Was Dissapointing,But I Saw A Few Of Theirs Before I Joined,And I Have To Say They Were,Supporting The Ramones At The Roundhouse They Were Incredible,When The Saints Supported Generation X There,We Reduced Them To A Pile On Steaming Excrement,( Which Wasn't Too Hard)If You Can Find It,There's A Live Version Of Demolition Girl From The Hope And Anchor Album"Front Row Festival" On Warner Brothers Catalogue No:-K66077 Which Is Representive Of What The Saints Sounded Like Live(Well, When I Was With Them Anyway)
46 .Wot colour pants do u have on?
Algy Ward: Black Boxers(With A Aromatic Hint Of South London Promise)
47. What is your favourite drink?
Algy Ward: Strongbow Cider
48. Algy - Paul Gray recently jumped up on stage for a couple of numbers with the Damned given the opportunity would you?
Algy Ward: I Got Up With Captain A Few Years Back,I Don't Know Really..
Why do you think the Damned have had so many Bass players & apart from yourself who is your favourite?
Algy Ward: The Reason The Damned Has Had So Many Bass Players Is A Three Letter Word Beginning With "R" I Can't Really Comment On The Other Bass Players As I've Only Heard Captain,Henry Badowski And Paul Gray,Captain Is The One Though...He's A All Round Musician, And Thoroughly Good Egg...(That'll Be A Pint, Captain)
Who is your inspiration in music and who is your inspiration in life?
Algy Ward: My Inspiration In Music And Life Are The Same....BREATHING!!!!
If you had your time in the Damned again would you do anything differently?
Algy Ward: No I Wouldn't Do Anything Again, There's No Point, Learn By Your Mistakes, Every Time You Make Them Again.
Did you feel you were the pin up in the band and if so were you competing with the singer?
49. Do you still work full time in the music Industry? If not whats your present Day Job?
Algy Ward: I've Been In The Music Business Man And Boy Now For Twenty-Five And Several Years And Counting That's All I Seem To Do,I've Retired A Couple Of Times,Due To Health,Or Rather The Lack Of It...But I Still Keep Going....And Going (See Elsewhere In The Interview For What I'm Up To)
50. Hi mate, huge fan of your work with The Damned, great songs and it always sounded like you lot were having a great time too. Any particular magic moments you'd care to share?
Algy Ward: Thanks For Your Kind Words,T here Were Many Good Times,And A Lot Of Shitty Ones,Playing The Lyceum,Glasgow Apollo,The Whiskey A Go Go,Lots Of Fun.Top Of The Pops,Old Grey Whistle Test.....
Also recently here on the message board, there has been "discussion" about what was said on the Peel session version of "Liar" at the end. Some say it was "cold meat cuts", some I cant repeat, I always thought it was "comic cuts", any ideas? I might win £5.
Algy Ward: John Peel Sessions Were A Good Laugh Too Yes It Probably Was Cold Meat Cuts,One Of Captain's Favourite Sayings,Along With Sod The Whale And Electic Zombie,Mine Were More Like Dauntless Rubberline,Burlington Sanito,Crappers Thunderbowl,Armitage Shanks Etc And Who's A Grumpy Old Hector Today Captain,Sir Francis Drake,Roast Duck And Orange Sauce.
OK last one....Whats with the name "Algy"? Everyone knows that "Al" is so much better!
Algy Ward: It's Captain's Fault For Being Algy Well Oi!Oi! That's Yer Lot,Thanks For All Your Wonderful Questions,Hope I Answered Them To Your Liking,And Rembember Your Trousers Can Go Up As Well As Down,And Your House May Be Risk If You Set Fire To It Although Every Care Has Been Taken To Remove It,Some Meat May Still Remain....... Your Ever Loving Algy... HAMMER ON!!!!!!Children Everwhere
Thanks Algy for doing this interview!
For the interview with Cliff Evans go to METAL RULES! webzine.